Exactly reba. Bitework is a chosen action, not a breed of dog. Bitework can be discouraged with pits without damaging anything. Banning pits is basically damning a whole breed to extinction, and screwing the majority of owners based on fear and quite frankly incorrect information like locking jaws. Apples and oranges.
You could say that many things are judged by the actions of a few, from gun ownership to all men being treated as potential rapists to lawn darts to banning cell phones in cars. Some have merit, some do not. That does not mean they are all the same, just because the means for deciding are the same. Lawn darts were not acceptable because the risk was deemed as far outweighing the good. Guns hopefully that is not going to happen. Pits, hopefully that will not happen. Bitework with pits? I think discouraging it is a lesser evil than banning the breed. I think the bad will at some point far outweigh the good. I think that for every Chris there will be a dozen jack a$$es giving pits a bad name. And even with Chris, I am on the fence as far as total good vs total potential bad PR.
So is everyone who does bitework as aware of their surroundings as you are?
Pits are not getting bad raps due to dog aggression, they are getting bad raps due to people aggression. Chessies are notoriously bad with other dogs, but I do not see them being banned or even questioned. It is the maulings that make the news-when a pit lacks bite inhibition and flips the switch on a human. What we are talking about it using PP to counteract bite inhibition in dogs that are able and possibly create breed lines based on that lack. And having the average idiot think that anyone can do this.
Again, this is all opinion. No one is talking about making law here. I do not think that people who do bitework responsibly are evil or bad trainers, or are intentionally out to ruin the breed. I have a great respect for Chris, and others who do this well. But that doesn't mean I agree with everything they do. I assume for example that Chris would feel Tess should be put down for her fear issues, based on his previous posts. But that does not mean I have to agree, or that he thinks I am an idiot. We all do things that others will disagree with.
I do like that about this board, that we can discuss these things without it getting personal. I am enjoying this discussion, and I hope we can all keep this going as civily as we are.
And Chris, I am sorry I seem to be singling you out. It really is a compliment, believe it or not.